Mop



Sept. 17, 1935. BATES 2,014,488

MOP

Filed March 1, 1934 INVENTOR Josep/ZD- Ba es Patented Sept. 17, 1935UNITED. ST TES PATENT, OFFICE MOP Joseph D. Bates, West Springfield,Mass. Application March 1, 1934, Serial No. 713,570 14 Claims.(01.15-119) The present invention relates to mops and, moreparticularly, to mops of the type having fluid-removing or squeezingmeans associated therewith. I It is a primary object of the presentinvention 1 to provide a mopping device which shall be pro;-

vided with devices, carried by or adjacent to that 3 part of the mopwhich supports themopping element, which will be movable into positionsat opposite sides of the mopping element for squeezing the moppingelement therebetween. It is also intended by the present invention thatsuch squeezing devices shall be movable to an inoperative position inthe rear of the mopping element where they may be fastened in such aposition that they cannot interfere with manipulation of the mop. It isalso an object of the invention to provide means carried by suchsqueezing members which, when the squeezing members are moved toinoperative position, may be grasped easily by the hand in order toemploy the mop as a hand wiper or mop.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for latching andmaintaining the squeezing members in a position to the rear of themopping element. v o

Other objects and features of novelty will be apparent from thefollowing description and the 30. annexed drawing, it being expresslyunderstood, however, that the invention is in no way limited by suchdescription and drawings, or otherwise than by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing, in which similar reference numerals refer tolike parts.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the mop according to the presentinvention; 7 Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the mop device, show-,

55 which are so arranged that the sides 3, I converge.

slightly at their free longitudinal edges for a purpose which willappear hereinafter.

A mo'p element 5 is also provided by the invention and is adapted to beattached to the body portion I of the mop device, and such element 5comprises an elongated strip 6 of mopping or cleaning material and anelongated, U-shaped mop-retaining member 1 comprising the bottom portion8 and the sides'9, I I), the same being preferablyintegrally formed, allas illustrated clearly 10 in Fig. 4. ,One oi the longitudinal sides ofthe mopping element 6, which may be formed from sponge rubber or othersuitable material, is securely clamped between the sides 9, N3 of themopretaining member I, and such sides may be in- 15 wardly deformed, asillustrated, in order to insure a secure clamping engagement. Themop-retaining member is preferably formed 'of sheet metal and has suchoutside dimensions that it may be slidably' but tightly received withinthe 20 body member I.

It will be apparent that the mop element 5 may be securely attached tothe body portion I of the mop device by sliding the U-shapedmop-retaining member I longitudinally of and within the 'U- 7 shapedbody portion I, the parts being so proportioned that a sliding but tightfit will be provided. It will also be seen that, due to the inwarddeformation of the sides 3, 4 of the body portion I, the sides of themop-retaining member 30 I will be, resiliently and securely held be--tween the sides, 3, 4, while the bottom portion 8 of member I willsnugly fit against and within the bottom portion 2 of member I, wherebythe mop element will be securely and rigidly, but de- 35 tachablysecured to the mop body I. As is clearly illustrated, one end of thebottom'portion 8 of mop-retaining member I may be turned outwardly as atI I in order to provide a finger grip whereby the mop element 5 andmop-retaining member 40 I may be conveniently inserted in and pulled outof the body member I.

Means are provided by the present invention for squeezing water or othercleaning fluid out of the mop element 6 when desired, and such 5 meanscomprise the squeezing plates I2, I3 which, as clearly illustrated,comprise elongated, generally fiat members which may be formed of anysuitable material such as sheet metal. Adjacent one edge of each ofthese squeezing members are formed a plurality of ears I, the same beingturned over and passing through eyes I5 which are struck up from thesides 3, 4 of the body member I, thereby forming hinged connectionsbetween the sides 3, 4 and the plates I2, I3. The

in inoperative position rearwardly of'the body member I, as shown inFigs. 1 and 2, by\means of a latch device, the same comprising a portionH which is rigidly and permanently attached to the squeezing plate I2,and a portion I8 extending at approximately a right angle to portion I1and terminating in a catch member I9 which is adapted to engage over thefree edge of plate I3 when the two squeezing plates are in inoperativeposition, all as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1

and 2.. For the purpose of providing strength and a better squeezingactio'n, the plates I2, I3

' may be provided with the longitudinal ridges 20,

2| which are preferably struck up from the metal of the plates and whichare so disposed that when the plates are in operative or squeezingposition the ridges substantially oppose each other as illustrated'inFig. 3. It will be apparent that, when the squeezing plates are operatedto squeeze the mopping element therebetween, the ridges will extend intothe mopping element and, by

reducing the volume included between the two plates, will provide anincreased squeezing action. 1

Means are provided whereby the squeezing plates. may be manipulated bythe hands, and such means comprise the handle members 22, 23. The endsof each of said handle members are rigidly attached to one of the platesI2, I3 by any suitable means, and betweensuch ends, the handle membersare preferably semi-circular in shape in order that a convenienthand-grip may be afforded. It will be apparent that the handles '22, 23may be employed for manipulating the squeezing plates or, if desired,for manipulating the mop in a cleaning operation when it is not desiredto employ the usual long handle.

' The device according to the present invention is also provided withmeans whereby it may be operated in the usual manner by a handle. Suchmeans comprise a split socket 24 of the usual type, which may beattached by rivets 25, or otherwise, to the bottom 2 of the body memberI, and which projects ,rearwardly from the mop body as illustrated inFig. 1. A handle 26 is adapted to be received in the socket 24 and to beheld therein by means of the clamping means 21.

In the operation of the above described mop, it is first necessary toattach the mop element to the body or frame of the mop. This may be doneby inserting the mop-retaining member I, in which the cleaning member 6is securely clamped, into the U-shaped body member I of the mop. The mopelement 5 and mop-retaining 7 member 'I will now be securely clamped tothe body member I. The squeezing plates may .now be moved to inoperativeposition rearwardly of the mop assembly, as illustrated in Fig. 1, andmay be held in such position by engaging the catch I9 over the free edgeof plate I3, whereby the two plates will be securely held in inoperativeposition. If desired, a handle may be'secured in the socket 24, and themop may now be used either dry, for wiping purposes or may be dampenedfor cleaning and scrubbing purposes.

If it is now desired to squeeze the water or other cleaning fluid out ofthe mop element 5, the latch I9 is first disengaged from the free edgeof plate I3, and the squeezing plates I2, I3 are moved about theirpivotal connections with the sides 3, 4 of body member I until they abutthe opposite sides of the mop element 5. Further movement of thesqueezing plates toward each .mopping element having a marginal edgeP0rdescribed squeezing members I2, I 3 may be held other as illustratedin Fig. 3, will cause'the mop element to be eilectively and thoroughlysqueezed between the plates. It will be apparent that the squeezingplates may be so proportioned that eachwill substantially cover one side0! the mop 5 element, and that if such plates are operated by means ofthe handles 22, 23, considerable-pressure may be exerted on the mopelement'whereby the same will be completely ireed of water or othercleaning fluid. 10

The squeezing plates may nowbe returned to inoperative position andmaintained therein by means 01' latch member I9, in order that thewiping or mopping operation may be resumed.

While I have illustrated and described one em- 15 bodiment of myinvention, it will be apparent that other modifications andconstructions may be employed without departing in any way from thespirit or scope of the invention. For example, the body member I may beso arranged 20 and constructed that the mop-retaining member I may beinserted therein through the longitudinal open side of such body member,in which case the sides 3, 4 of the body member may be formed ofresilient material whereby the mem- 25 ber I will be clamped in positionwithin the body member. 'Other modifications will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art and reference must be had to the appended claims fora definition of the limits of the invention.

It is also to be expressly understood that the term "mop as employed inthe appended claims is intended to cover all mopping, cleaning or wipingdevices, and is not to be restricted in meaning to any particular typeor character of 5 device in any way. I

What is claimed is:

1. A mop comprising a channel-shaped mopholding member, a moppingelement carried by said mop-holding member, a plurality of squeezingmembers pivotally mounted with respect to and adjacent the side membersof said mopholding' member and movable from inoperative positions intopositions at opposite sides of said mopping element to squeeze saidmopping ele-" ment therebetween. I

2. A mop comprising a channel-shaped mop-v holding member, a moppingelement having a portion thereof mounted within said channelshapedmember, and plate members pivotally 5 mounted on opposite sides of saidchannel- V shaped mop-holding member and movable to squeeze said moppingelementtherebetween.

3. A mop comprising a handle, a channelshaped mop-holding member securedto said handle, a mopping element having a portion thereofmounted withinsaid holding member, and a plurality of plate members pivotally mountedon said channel-shaped mop-holding member and movable into engagementwith op- '60 posite sides of said moppingelement for squeezing the sametherebetween.

4. A mop comprising in combination, a mopholding member having spacedside portions, a

65 tion disposed between and held by said side portions of themop-holding member and a main body portion extending outwardly from themarginal edges of said side portions, and a pair or squeezing membershinged to said mop-holding member adjacent said side portions andarranged ior relative swinging movements between a squeezing position atopposite sides of the main body of the mopping element and extendingforwardly of the said side portions and a non- -75 element between themwhen in said-squeezing position. v t

5. A map comprising in combination, a mop- I holding member havingspaced side portions, 9.

mopping element having a marginal edge portion disposed between and heldby said side portions of the mop-holding member and a main body portionextending outwardly from the marginal edges of said side portions, and apair of squeezing members hinged to said side portions of themop-holding member and arranged for relative swinging movements betweena squeezing 6. A mop comprising in combination, a mopholding memberhaving spaced side portions, a mopping element having-a marginal edgeportion disposed between and held by said side portions of themop-holding member and a main body portion extending outwardly from themarginal edges of said side portions, a pair of squeezing members hingedto said mop-holding member and arranged for relative swinging movementsbetween a squeezing position at opposite sides of the main body of themopping element and extending forwardly of the said side portions and anon-squeezing position away therefrom, and adapted to squeeze the mainbody portion of the mopping element therebetween when in said squeezingposition, and means to releasably retain said squeezing members innon-squeezing position.

7. A mop comprising in combination, a mopholding member having spacedside portions, a

mopping element having a marginal edge portion disposed between and heldby said side portions of the mop-holding member and a main body portionextending outwardly from the marginal edges of said side portions, apair of squeezing members hinged to said side portions of the mopholdingmember and arranged for relative swinging movements between a squeezingposition at opposite sides of the main body of the mopping element andextending forwardly of the said side portions and a non-squeezingposition away therefrom, and adapted to squeeze the main body portion ofthe mopping element when in said squeezing position, andmeans toreleasably retain said squeezing members in non-squeezing position.

8. A mop comprising a mop-holding member, a mopping element carried bysaid mop-holding member and having a portion extending therefrom, aplurality of squeezing plates pivotally mounted with respect to andadjacent said mopholding member and movable into engagement withopposite sides of said mopping element to squeeze the same therebetween,each of said plates being provided with a portion extending out of theplane thereof and engageable with and extending into said moppingelement when the said plates are in squeezing position.

9. A mop comprising a mop-holding member,

a moppingelement carried by said mop-holding member and having a portionextending therefrom, a plurality of squeezing plates pivotally mountedon said mop-holding member and movable into engagement with oppositesides of said mopping element, each of said plates being provided with aridge engageable with and extending into said mopping element when saidplates are in squeezing position;

10. A mop comprising a channel-shaped mopholding member, a moppingelement having a portion thereof mounted within said holding member, aplurality of plates pivotaliy mounted on the sides of saidchannel-shaped mop-holding member and movable from an inoperativeposition into engagement with said mopping element to squeeze the sametherebetween, and latch means for releasably maintaining said plates ininoperative position behind said mopping element.

11. A mop comprising a channel-shaped mopholding member, a moppingelement having a portion thereof mounted within said holding member, aplurality of squeezing devices pivotally mounted" on opposite sides ofsaid holding member and movable from an inoperative position intopositions at opposite sides of said mopping element, and means carriedby one of said squeezing devices and engageable with another thereof forreleasably maintaining said squeezing devices in inoperative position.

12. A mop comprising a mop-holding member,

a mopping element carried by said mop-holding member, a plurality ofplates pivotally mounted on said mop holding member and movable frominoperative positions to positions at opposite sides of said moppingelement to squeeze the same therebetween, and a latch member having aportion rigidly connected at substantially right angles to one of saidplates and engageable with the free edge of another of said plates whensaid plates are in inoperative position.

13. A mop comprising a channel-shaped mopholding member, a moppingelement having a portion attached within said channel-shaped member, aplurality of squeezing members pivotally connected to said mop-holdingmember and movable from inoperative position into positions at oppositesides of said mopping element for squeezing the same therebetween, meansfor latching said squeezing members in inoperative position, and handlesconnected to said squeezing members and so disposed with respect to saidsqueezing members that when said squeezing members are latched ininoperative position said handles are brought substantially together.

14. A mop comprising a mop-holding member,

a mopping element carried by said mop-holding member, a plurality ofplates pivotally mounted on said mop-holding member and movable frominoperative positions into positionsat opposite sides of said moppingelement to squeeze said mopping element therebetween, and an arcuate rodhandle connected at each end thereof to each of the said plates adjacentthe free edge thereof and disposed substantially in the plane of saidplate.

JOSEPH D. BATES.

CERTIFICATEOF-CORRECTiONP mm n; 2.014388, I 1 S pt m 193 JOSEPH o.:BAITEVS- I It is herebycerti-fi'ed that error appears in the printedspecification of the above numbered "patent requiring correction asfollows: Rage 1, first column, after line 27,- insert the following:

p A further-obj act is to provide a mopping devicehaving squeezing meansmounted thereon, which squeezing means will include portions effectiveto provide an additional or further squeezing action when thesqueezingfgmeans are operated to squeeze the mopping element.

A still further obj ect of the invention is to provide a mop, having asqueezing device associated therewith which will include only aminimum'number of parts and which may be easily and cheaplymanufactured,

but which will be strong and rugged in construction.

And tha't the said Letters Patent should be read with this correctiontherein that the same may conform to the record of the case in thePatent Office. Signed and sealed this "7th dayof April, A..- D. 1936.

f 7 teens Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

